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Getting Ready For Primal Scream "Socks"

Submitted by Gnosis on Mon, 2012-06-25 14:00

Ok.. in keeping with my anal retentive utilitarian streak it is time for me to move onto socks. I've heard the wonders and the horrors. I've read some of your stories and know that many of you are very good at it. So ... speaking to that group (not those of you limping around with lumps in your shoes) what do you think is the best starting point for this size 12 guy? Just plain old nice socks. Handsome nice socks... don't want a flower garden crawling up my calves, or a home for ever toe. Looking forward to hearing from you guys.

I suggest starting with a pair of baby socks, you get to try everything with a whole lot less time and stitches. Then more over to "plain" sock to understand the fit. The Sock-u-lator generates a pattern based on your foot measurements. No two feet (even yours) are the same size, and not pattern really fits any one's feet.

Look for a variegated yarn to give the sock character. once you have the socks down then start adding cables and other patterns.

This is my humble opinion, and I look forward to others points of view.

Sock are not at all difficult if you know how to knit and purl, you've knit in the round before, know how to pick up stitches and know how to preform an SSK and K2tog. There are wonderful videos on youtube for all of them. I have a PDF for the Universal Sock pattern which will give all the information you need to make the right size socks from almost any guage yarn. I'll be happy to email to if you'd like.

I would go for a simple rib and use a light color for your first pair it will just be easier for you.

I recommend - and teach - a basic top-down sock made with larger needles and thicker yarn, using a simple German/Dutch heel and a round toe [like a stocking cap top]. That way, you can see how a sock comes together in all of its components. Plus, you can truly see your stitches and better recognize any mistakes and fix them without fretting over "toothpicks and string" [as a friend put it]. I also encourage a light color to begin with as it's easier to see what you're knitting. Once you get the basics mastered, you can explore the various techniques to find what you like best for your socks. I taught myself to knit socks by making Christmas socks for the nieces and nephews with size 7 doublepoints and worsted yarn and that started the whole shebang.

Once again, I have to say that Melissa Morgan-Oakes is the way to go. Her books, 2 at a time socks, are fabulous. One book is ankle down (which I suggest for a beginner) and toe up (requires a little more skill-because picking up short row wraps are not the easiest for a first timer).
The beauty of doing it this way is that you finish both socks at the same time and they'll match each other perfectly. Also, I've heard of knitters who have just one sock because they just didn't want to work another sock.